In addition to being a treasured rock musician, Joan Jett’s style, attitude, and aesthetics paved the way for those of the “Riot Grrrl” movement of the 90s.
Jett and The Blackhearts are still together and recording music, with their last record Unvarnished in 2013 reaching Billboard’s Top 50, and their touring schedule including future gigs with bands like Poison and Def Leppard. įrom there the band only saw more and more success, scoring multiple Top 40 hits and touring with some of the biggest names in rock and roll. In spring of 1981, a show at The Palladium in New York City skyrocketed the band’s following, so much that within a year Joan Jett and The Blackhearts were touring and releasing their chart-topping album I Love Rock ‘n Roll.
Bassist Jackie Fox, guitarist Lita Ford and lead singer Cherie Currie soon made up the rest of the group, and The Runaways went on to have a short but successful career that laid the foundations for the future solo success many members of the band found, specifically Jett.Īfter limited success as a true solo artist, Jett formed Joan Jett and the Blackhearts with producer Jeff Laguna, whom she met while filming a movie about The Runaways in LA. Joan Jett’s career began as a member of The Runaways in the 70s, founding the band with drummer Sandy West. Songs like “ I Hate Myself for Loving You ” and “ Do You Wanna Touch Me (Oh Yeah) ” quickly became some of my favorite anti-love songs, and covers of “ Crimson and Clover ” and “ I Love Rock ‘N Roll ” continue to be anthems I go back to. The first song I ever heard by Jett was “ Bad Reputation ,” and I’m not ashamed to say it was in the Shrek movie franchise (those movies had killer soundtracks, and that’s just a fact), and as I grew into my love for rock and roll, I continued to venture into her discography. Joan Jett’s career has been, and continues to be, one of the most impressive in the world of rock music, and her staying power has made her a feminist icon that I admire greatly. You think of her signature haircut, affinity for leather and raspy rock tone that make her “The Queen of Rock and Roll.” This and much more make Jett one of my personal idols her take-no-shit demeanor, guitar finesse and distinct rocker style inspires me every day to be my authentic self, which draws heavy influence from her, right down to my haircut.
When you think of women in rock and roll, you think of Joan Jett.